Decision digest | Regional Strategy and Policy Committee

05 November 2015

Water and waste a key focus at today’s meeting

Discussions around water – including drinking, swimming pools and the future of Manukau Harbour – dominated today’s Regional Strategy and Policy meeting. The committee were asked to allow for an extension on the pest management plan and an extraordinary item regarding waste service delivery was received. The following is a digest of all decisions made.

The agenda is available on Auckland Council’s website and minutes will be added once confirmed. This meeting was also webcast on the council’s website and items will be available on demand within 24 hours of the meeting. Items 1-4 are administrative items.

Item 5.1: Public Input – Fluoridation of the Onehunga water supply

Richard and Robyn Northey addressed the committee to request the fluoridation of the Onehunga water supply. This request was largely due to their concern over dental health in the area. Eighty five percent of the rest of Auckland is currently fluoridated.

Item 5.2: Public Input - Kane Titchener

Kane Titchener from Fluoirde Free NZ gave a presentation to the committee that reflected concerns about the amount of fluoride in Auckland’s water supply. He requested council ask the CEO of Watercare to reduce the amount of fluoride in the water.

Following the two public presentations, the committee were told they will get a full information report around fluoridation and, additionally, a report regarding current practices by Watercare. A letter to the Minister of Health requesting an update on the government’s position was also requested.

Item 7: Extraordinary Business – Waste Collection Service Delivery Presentation

Cr Wood, Chair of the committee, requested a presentation by council staff regarding waste issues. Robertson Road, Mangere, where illegal dumping on Housing NZ land has been a large issue, was mentioned. The committee received an overview on how council and the Local Board were working with HNZ on this, including the setting up of CCTV cameras to address this issue. A communications plan raising public awareness to prevent illegal dumping has been developed and is on-going.

On other waste matters, a new inorganics service has also being heavily publicised throughout the wider region and staff reported a drop in illegal dumping and generally good feedback from the public. The new orange rubbish bag now available was also mentioned.

Item 9: Extension of Regional Pest Management Plan to December 2016

The committee were asked to extend the expiry date of the Auckland Regional Pest Management Plan (ARPMP) to 17 December 2016. The plan gives effect to the Biosecurity Act 1993, and it provides a strategic and statutory framework for managing plant and animal pests in Auckland, but this plan is due to expire next month. To allow council to keep the ARPMP operative while a review is carried out, an extension of one year was requested.

The committee agreed to the extension of the ARPMP to 17 December 2016.

Item 10: Auckland Council Submission: Building (Pools) Amendment Bill

Auckland Council has prepared a draft submission on the Building (Pools) Amendment Bill and is supportive of the inclusion of new pool safety measures into the Building Act 2004. A few issues to the amended bill have been identified by council so a recommendation, such as the need for a more frequent inspection regime (three years), has been included in the submission.

The Regional Strategy and Policy Committee approved the submission, which will be filed with Parliament’s Local Government and Environment Select Committee.

Item 11: Manukau Harbour Update

The Long-Term Plan included a cross-council integrated programme of work related to the Manukau Harbour. Today the committee was provided with an update on progress to strategic and operational work programmes and a proposal to explore hydrodynamic modelling for the Manukau Harbour. The multi-staged undertaking of Hydrogenic modelling will predict water levels/tidal currents and model the complex movement of sediment and contaminants from their source into the harbour.

The committee thanked the staff for their cross-council collaboration and excellent work programme.

Item 12: Reports Pending Status Update

The committee received an update on the status of Regional Strategy and Policy Committee resolutions from October 2015. This was accepted.

Item 13: Information items

Information reports on a number of items were received and accepted by the committee.

ENDS

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